Powered By

Campaign Guide

Last Updated:July 26, 2024|Changelog

Introduction

Path of Exile is a huge game. It starts with a ten act campaign that serves as tutorial and takes several hours to get through. It's easy to get overwhelmed as a new player, but don't worry, this walkthrough will make your journey through Wraeclast much easier!

This generic walkthrough works for any class, build and league. It covers each zone and highlights their points of interest to ensure you won't miss any important quests. It won't make you a speedrunner, but it'll get you through the game efficiently.

Be aware that this post contains major storyline spoilers! Turn back now if you must!

Act 1

1. The Twilight Strand

Waypoint: No
Boss: Hillock
Quests: Enemy at the Gate (Gem Reward)

This is where your journey begins! Pick up your starter weapon, kill the zombie and then pick up and socket your starter skill. These vary depending on your class, but are always the same for that class. Now you can change your left-click key bind to "Movement".

Follow the zone to the right and ignore all enemies since they don't give much experience and you need your flask charges for the upcoming boss. Around the middle of the zone is a Large Chest that contains your first Support Gem, link it to your skill and continue until you meet Hillock. Defeating him unlocks all Enemy at the Gate Level 1 Gem quest rewards and the entrance to Lioneye's Watch.

Act 1 791 X 506

Act 2

1. The Southern Forest

Waypoint: Yes
Boss: Calaf, Headstaver (optional)

The Southern Forest is a dense linear zone for quick experience with its Waypoint right at the start. While the big apes can summon smaller apes from the trees, they don't give experience. Simply run through the zone, let enemies follow you, and kill them once they've accumulated in a large pack. This strategy should be used for the majority of acts, provided you have a good skill to clear them with. Towards the end of this zone there's a small bandit camp with Calaf, Headstaver as a boss. Skip him by running straight to the Forest Encampment.

Act 2 791 X 506

Act 3

1. The City of Sarn

Waypoint: Yes
Boss: Guard Captain
Quests: Lost in Love

The City of Sarn is a short zone within the slums of this act's main city, with its Waypoint right at the start. Continue left while staying by the wall until you find some Blackguards surrounding Clarissa, with the Guard Captain as boss. Defeat them and talk to Clarissa, then go down the stairs to the docks area and enter the Sarn Encampment.

Act 3 791 X 506

Act 4

1. The Aqueduct

Waypoint: Yes
Boss: The Hundred Foot Shadow (optional)

The Aqueduct is a two-lane linear zone with its Waypoint right at the start. Both lanes are connected through bridges at random spots and sometimes need to be alternated between to continue. Each lane can have short side paths containing a pack of magic monsters. Around halfway through the zone there's a bigger bridge with the Hundred Foot Shadow spawning, run past it and continue your way. The entrance to Highgate is always at the end of the left lane.

Act 4 791 X 506

Act 5

1. The Slave Pens

Waypoint: Yes
Boss: Overseer Krow
Quests: Return to Oriath

The Slave Pens lead you through the cages of Oriath's slave district and has it's Waypoint right at the start. While there are some side paths, generally going to the right end, making a turn downwards, and going towards the left gets you to Overseer Krow. Defeat him to make the ladder to the Overseer's Tower drop down and claim your Return to Oriath quest reward from Lani.

Act 5 791 X 506

Act 6

1. Lioneye's Watch (Town)

NPCs: Lilly Roth; Bestel; Tarkleigh; Sin

Surprise, you're back in Act 1! Well, not quite, things have changed since you've last been here. Lioneye's Watch is still the town however. There are four NPCs:

  • Tarkleigh sells equipment and quality currency.
  • Bestel sells wands, jewelry, flasks and currency.
  • Lilly Roth sells all regular gems after finishing her quest. She's located on the pier at first, but eventually moves over to the other NPCs.
  • Sin doesn't do much yet, but he can upgrade Pantheon powers once you've finished the acts.

Clear out the Twilight Strand to the left at least once each league to unlock Lilly as gem vendor for your hideout. Then head to the Coast to progress.

Act 6 791 X 506

Act 7

1. The Bridge Encampment (Town)

NPCs: Helena; Yeena; Eramir; Weylam Roth; Sin

The Bridge Encampment is the town in Act 7 and is located in Kraityn's old camp, as the Forest Encampment was taken over. It has five NPCs:

  • Helena sells equipment and quality currency.
  • Yeena sells wands, jewelry, flasks and currency.
  • Eramir and Weylam Roth give you some quest rewards.
  • Sin upgrades your Pantheon powers once you've finished the acts.
Act 7 791 X 506

Act 8

1. The Sarn Ramparts

Waypoint: Yes

The Sarn Ramparts are your way into Sarn this time. From the Waypoint follow the ramparts to the right to find their entrance. Once on the ramparts, go left until you find the stairs leading down to Sarn.

Act 8 791 X 506

Act 9

1. The Blood Aqueduct

Waypoint: Yes

While the Lunaris Temple had brightened up, the opposite goes for the Aqueduct. Apart from that it works the same as in Act 4, with the exit to Highgate at the end of the left lane. If you want to invest some time, the Humility Divination Card can be farmed here. A set of nine gives you a Tabula Rasa, a sixlinked Body Armour with no stats. This together with its layout and monster level makes the Blood Aqueduct a popular farming spot to get ready for maps after finishing the acts.

Act 9 791 X 506

Act 10

1. Oriath Docks (Town)

NPCs: Lilly Roth; Weylam Roth; Lani; Sin; Bannon; Innocence

The Oriath Docks are the town in Act 10 and has six NPCs:

  • Lilly Roth sells all regular skill gems if you've finished her quest in Act 6.
  • Weylam Roth sells equipment and quality currency.
  • Lani sells wands, jewelry, flasks and currency.
  • Sin can upgrade your Pantheon powers once you've finished the acts.
  • Bannon needs to be rescued first to appear, and is replaced by Innocence later in the act.
Act 10 791 X 506

Epilogue

Congratulations, you've beaten all acts and reached the Karui Shore! Helena awaits you here with a Recipe Altar close to her. Follow the path into the building and talk to Lani to receive two Passive Skillpoints. Now talk to Kirac to receive a map and use it in the Map Device nearby. Return to Kirac after completing it to unlock the atlas and your own map device that can be placed into your hideout. Check out our mapping guide to learn where to go from here.

The Karui Shores functions as the town for the endgame.

  • Helena lets you choose your hideout.
  • Lilly Roth sells all regular gems after finishing her quest in Act 6.
  • Weylam Roth sells equipment and quality currency.
  • Lani sells wands, jewelry, flasks and currency.
  • Several other NPCs will appear after encountering them in the wild to introduce their mechanics and be invited to your hideout.

Credits

Written by Enki.
Reviewed by Raxxanterax & Tytykiller.